This homemade strawberry jam sets up without any added pectin and uses just three simple ingredients.
I rely on this straightforward jam recipe when strawberries are in season. It works well with raspberries or a mix of berries too. The sugar is the natural thickener that helps the jam gel.
Ingredients for Homemade Strawberry Jam:
- 4 lbs strawberries, washed and stems removed
- 8 cups granulated sugar
- 1 lemon, juiced
How do you make jam thick without pectin?
Sugar acts as the thickening agent when making jam without commercial pectin. Use an equal weight ratio of sugar to fruit: for every pound of strawberries use one pound of sugar. One pound equals 16 ounces, and 16 ounces of granulated sugar is about 2 cups.
How to make Homemade Strawberry Jam without pectin:
1. Place the cleaned strawberries in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and coarsely mash them to release their juices.
2. Add the sugar and the lemon juice, then stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil over medium-high heat.
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and continue cooking for about 20 more minutes, stirring now and then. The volume will reduce slightly and the jam should reach about 220°F (104°C). You can also check readiness by noting when a wooden spoon becomes sticky with jam.
4. When the jam reaches the proper consistency, ladle it into clean jars and seal tightly. Let jars cool completely at room temperature, then store them in the refrigerator.
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Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe
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Ingredients
Homemade Strawberry Jam:
- 4 lbs strawberries, washed and stems removed
- 8 cups granulated sugar
- 1 lemon, juiced
Instructions
How to make Homemade Strawberry Jam without Pectin:
- In a large pot, coarsely mash the strawberries. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice; bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- After it boils, reduce to medium heat and cook for 10 minutes. Lower to a simmer and cook another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The jam should reduce slightly and reach about 220°F. The wooden spoon will become sticky when it’s ready.
- Pour the hot jam into clean jars and seal tightly. Let the jars cool to room temperature, then refrigerate.
- TIP: Maintain an equal weight ratio of fruit to sugar. For each additional pound of berries, add two cups of sugar (1 lb fruit ≈ 2 cups sugar).
Notes
Strawberry Recipes to Try:
- Easy Strawberry Strudels Recipe
- Strawberry Tiramisu Cake Recipe
- Deep-Fried Cheesecake (Cheesecake Chimichangas)